Phillip Phillips to Perform for the First Time Since Surgery on the Fourth of July

‘American Idol‘ winner Phillip Phillips will be back on stage next month when he performs at the annual July Fourth celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This will be his first appearance since undergoing major kidney surgery.

The 21-year-old singer-songwriter has been recovering in Malibu, Calif. so that he may be ready to join his fellow ‘Idol’ castmates on tour this summer. “I’m getting better each day, so that’s a good thing,” he told the Associated Press. “I’m just walking around, getting my strength back together. It was tough, you know, those first few days, but I’m getting to where I can pick the guitar back up and write a little bit.”

Phillips will head to Washington for the first time, performing his new single ‘Home.’ According to Billboard, an audience of more than 300,000 is expected to present on the capitol lawn before the annual fireworks display. The show will be broadcast live on PBS and NPR, and share the bill with the likes of Matthew Broderick, Josh Turner, Megan Hilty and more.

“It’s probably the biggest thing I’ve ever done besides ‘American Idol,’” Phillips added. “I’m just excited to get out there and do my first real live performance since everything that’s been going on.”